Our state is one absolutely inundated with pests. I hate to say it, but it’s true. And sure, there’s plenty to love about the state. The sunshine. The nature. The sun and the sand and the sprawling beaches. But we’re not the only ones who love all of this. Ants do too! That’s why today, we’re going to talk about some of the species of ants you can find down here. And after that, we’ll touch on some Florida ant control tips to help protect your home.
Florida Ant Control: Overview
Ants are an extremely common in most central Florida homes. In fact, most homes in the area will have to deal with an ant infestation at least once or twice most years. It’s just the nature of living in a subtropical environment. Our state is so perfect for ants and insect life that even bugs and pests from other countries thrive here. Did you know, for example, that fire ants aren’t native? That’s right. They actually came here on a boat from South America and established themselves as the dominant species in the state.
It’s honestly not uncommon for homes in Florida to go from ant-free one day to infested the next. But when dealing with ant infestations, you’re going to want to quickly identify the ants at hand. Sure, ghost ants may be annoying and persistent. But if you get a fire ant infestation, your life could genuinely be at risk. That’s why you need to be able to identify these various species. So to begin, let’s start with the star of the Florida ant control list: the fire ant.
Fire ants
Easily the most dangerous ant infestation you’ll run into in Florida is the fire ant. Thankfully, they tend not to go indoors into dwellings. But just about any garden, raised bed, or field in Florida is at risk. And it’s not unheard of for ants to move into wall voids in older homes or the cracked foundations of similar houses. And if you have small children, they’re genuinely at risk of death if swarmed. Fire ants have painful, venomous stings. They grab with their mandibles and inject as many times as they can until they are killed or brushed off. The venom in their stings may even attract other fire ants to attack the same target, thanks to ant signaling pheromones. And because of this, they tend to swarm in large numbers when they attack.
They’re dark-reddish brown to black in coloration and usually a fourth of an inch long. They behave aggressively and will swarm in huge numbers when their nest is disturbed. If you believe you have a fire ant infestation, it’s essential to act quickly. Seek Florida ant control from a professional pest control company a.s.a.p. if you find a nest in your home properly.
Ghost ants
Next, we have ants that I’ve dealt with many, many times in the past. Because the sad fact is no matter how much you clean, if there are ghost ants near your home, they’ll likely make their way inside. These ants are tiny and also known as sugar ants. They’re only about a millimeter and a half long. And on top of that, they have dark heads and nearly translucent bodies, hence the name. These ants have a habit of making multiple nests in wall voids of homes once the population of a single nest tends to grow too large. In fact, colonies of ghost ants can have multiple queens to facilitate this exact behavior.
If food and water sources are optimal, it’s not uncommon for large infested houses to have three or four nests throughout their walls and foundations. In search of sweets, sugar ants can infest dry goods bags and boxes by chewing through packaging with their sharp, little teeth, ruining your dry goods. Sugar ants are most likely attracted to the honeydew secreted by aphids and other plant insects on the exterior of your home. Entering homes can be easy when you’re as small as sugar ants. These guys are another massive cause for the need for Florida ant control, as they can infest again and again.
Carpenter Ants
Known commonly as bull ants, we have the carpenter ant next. Florida carpenter ants are bicolored, appearing reddish-brown with a brown or black abdomen. Carpenter ant bites are particularly painful to humans and pets, so take care when dealing with them. Carpenter ants tend to build their nests in pre-existing voids in walls or in damp and moisture-weakened wood they can burrow into. However, they cannot excavate sound wood. Carpenter ants can cause structural damage like termites, but they don’t eat wood but rather carve it out to nest in. Carpenter ants often build satellite nests in yards and landscapes, making it difficult to eliminate them.
Florida Ant Control: What to do when infested
Now, once you have an ant infestation, I’d recommend, as I said above, seeking professional help. Ants can damage the structure of your home, and, depending on the species, can simply pick up and move the nest once you start trying to take them out. That’s why you really should leave it to the pros. But, at the very least, there are a few things you can do in the realm of prevention and mitigating the problem while you get a professional pest control specialist lined up.
For one, cleanliness is next to godliness in almost all areas of pest control. Store your trash in secure bins, with tight fitting lids and always use a bag. Unsecured trash is one of the biggest issues when it comes to pest infestations. They can provide a nearly endless source of food, shelter, and moisture for ants. This would render any other Florida ant control worthless.
But really, outside of general cleanliness, exclusion is the second most significant step you need to take. Ants are tiny insects, so they get into tight places easily. Make sure your foundation and outer walls have no cracks or crevices for ants to slip in, and make sure to trim away any branches from trees that come into direct contact with your house.
At the end of the day, Florida ant control is about preventing infestations before they start. But when they start, you need to get a professional involved and fast.
